Canoe Bay

Editor's Review

This pricey romantic getaway spot gets top ratings for extraordinary comfort and attentiveness.

In a region of small towns with ma and pa taverns and bait shops, the North Woods of Wisconsin hide Canoe Bay, a great place for couples to reconnect. Children are not allowed, most cell phones don't work and the nearest town is miles away on backroads. But don't let the remoteness fool you into thinking service and amenities are sparse. Quite the contrary, Canoe Bay is the only lodging in the Midwest affiliated with the prestigious Relais and Chateaux collection of hotels and restaurants known for their charm and high culinary standards. The six rooms and 17 cottages have flat-screen TVs, stone fireplaces, whirlpool baths and private decks. Several cottages are designed in Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style and have roomy sitting areas and spa bathrooms with heated tile floors and spacious steam showers. Breakfast arrives in a wooden box discreetly placed outside your door. Days are spent canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking or snowshoeing on private trails. Choose from a selection of DVD movies and visit the fitness center and catalogued library. In-room massage available by appointment. When it's time for dinner, the chef turns out a masterful three-course, fixed price dinner menu, created anew each day. The extensive wine list has earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.